Japanese shares underperformed the region, inching down as dollar-yen pulled back to the 118 territory. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index had been the region's top performer on Thursday, piling on 1.9 percent.

After nearly a year firmly positioned at seventh spot, the yuan reached a record high share of 2.17 percent in global payments by value and is in sight of the Japanese yen, which has a share of 2.69 percent.

A positive finish on wall street as Fed minutes indicate that Fed wasn't ready to hike for at least the next couple of meetings. Europe too closed higher and Asian markets gain with Japanese Nikkei up a percent helped by a weaker yen.

Japanese stocks traded not too far away from a near-three-week low in Thursday's morning session as dollar-yen tested its lowest levels in two weeks and after the release of worse-than-expected machinery orders.

Japanese shares underperformed the region, inching down as dollar-yen pulled back to the 118 territory. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index had been the region's top performer on Thursday, piling on 1.9 percent.

After nearly a year firmly positioned at seventh spot, the yuan reached a record high share of 2.17 percent in global payments by value and is in sight of the Japanese yen, which has a share of 2.69 percent.

A positive finish on wall street as Fed minutes indicate that Fed wasn't ready to hike for at least the next couple of meetings. Europe too closed higher and Asian markets gain with Japanese Nikkei up a percent helped by a weaker yen.

Japanese stocks traded not too far away from a near-three-week low in Thursday's morning session as dollar-yen tested its lowest levels in two weeks and after the release of worse-than-expected machinery orders.

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Forex - Japanese yen holds steady after Tankan, key Asia data aheadInvesting.com - The Japanese yen held largely steady to stronger on Tuesday after the latest Tankan survey came in below expectations.

Wall Street`s blue chips set a record close in a lackluster session on Friday while the U.S. dollar strengthened against the euro and Japanese yen after the European Central Bank signaled it could deliver fresh monetary stimulus next month. Asian stocks fell after Chinese President Xi Jinping said

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